By Traveling from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar is now much easier than before. You can choose between two main options: taking a ferry or a flight. Zanzibar is one of the busiest domestic routes from Dar es Salaam, with fast ferries and many flights available.
For most travelers, the best choice depends on whether you are a local or a foreign visitor. Residents usually find the ferry to be the cheaper option. For many foreign travelers, flying can be a better experience because non-resident ferry prices are often close to lower airfare on certain days, and flights are faster and more convenient.
Option 1: Ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
The two main ferry operators that travellers often consider are Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries (Azam Marine) and Zan Fast Ferries. Azam Marine lists clear fares for both residents and non-residents on its official website. Zan Fast Ferries promotes its routes through its website and mobile app.
Ferry prices
A practical way to present ferry fares is to group Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries and Zan Fast Ferries together. They generally have similar pricing, so this makes it easier for customers to compare their options.
For residents
Economy: TZS 35,000
Business / First Class: TZS 40,000
VIP: TZS 70,000
For non-residents
Economy: USD 35
Business / First Class: USD 40
VIP: USD 60
Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries also lists Royal Class at TZS 110,000 for residents and USD 100 for non-residents.
How to book the ferries
For Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries/ Azam Marine, the website supports both resident and non-resident bookings through separate booking paths, and in-person booking is also available at the office.
Zan Fast Ferries offers two ways to book your trip: through their mobile app or their website. The easiest option is the mobile app, which you can download from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Their website also encourages you to use the app for booking trips between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. You can also book your tickets at their office.
Ferry offices in Dar es Salaam
Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries / Azam Marine is at the address Opposite St. Joseph Cathedral, Sokoine Drive, P.O. Box 2517, Dar es Salaam.
Zan Fast Ferries is located at 24 Sokoine Drive, near the Dar es Salaam Sea Port. This location is very close to the main ferry terminal and near Azam Marine’s offices.
Ferry booking tip
One advantage of the ferry is that prices are usually more stable. Ferry fares are published by class and do not usually rise the way flight fares do. In most cases, even a last-minute booking is still the same price, as long as the ferry has not sold out.
About Flying Horse
Flying Horse used to be a budget-friendly option for ferry services, but it is not as popular anymore. Today, most travelers check the schedules and routes of Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries and Zan Fast Ferries, which are now the main ferry providers. These companies are known for their reliable service, faster travel times, and more route options. As a result, many people choose them when planning to travel by ferry. Flying Horse still serves travelers who are watching their budgets, but it is no longer the top choice in the market.
Option 2: Flights from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (Mostly Recommended)
Fights are usually the better overall experience, especially for foreign travellers. The route is short and very active, and several airlines operate it regularly. The three strongest airlines to check first are Air Tanzania, Flightlink, and Coastal Aviation.
Air Tanzania is the airline I would favour first. It is Tanzania’s national carrier; it offers online booking, and fare-search results show that on some future dates this route can be very cheap, with Air Tanzania fares appearing from roughly the mid-US$40s.
Flightlink is also a very strong option, especially for short domestic travel. On its official site, it promotes Zanzibar-related fares starting from TZS 65,000 on selected resident offers, and its booking platform also advertises flights to Zanzibar from USD 50.
Coastal Aviation is another good airline to check, especially if you want frequent domestic connectivity. Coastal’s official Zanzibar pages show Dar es Salaam–Zanzibar flights every hour / every 30 minutes on its timetable pages, and market fare checks show Coastal tickets can sometimes start from around US$79, depending on date and availability.
Flight booking tip
Flights should be booked in advance whenever possible. This route shows prices can change a lot with demand, and the best time to book is often around 40 days in advance. That makes flights very different from ferries, where fares are usually fixed unless the sailing fills up.
Other airlines worth checking
If someone wants to do a deeper search, it is also worth checking Precision Air and Auric Air, both of which appear on current route search tools for Dar es Salaam–Zanzibar.
Final recommendation
If you are a resident, the ferry is usually the better-value option because local fares are much lower.
If you are a foreign traveller, flying is usually the better option because the price gap is often small, while the experience is faster, smoother, and more comfortable.
Among airlines, start with Air Tanzania, then compare with Flightlink and Coastal Aviation. For ferries, start with Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries and Zan Fast Ferries, while treating Flying Horse as a secondary or older option rather than your main plan.
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